BENT KNEES 91 



common ligament there is interposed a small ovoid synovial bursa, which 

 may be injured by the animal striking its limb against the manger, or by 

 some other such cause, when the enlarged bursa becomes more evident 

 by two bulgings making their appearance, one on either side of the 

 tendon. About two inches inferiorly to the above another somewhat 

 smaller sac is placed beneath the tendon of the extensor pedis. 



The knee has three synovial membranes, one for each of the main or 

 transverse joints. The membrane between the radius and the upper row 

 of bones is termed the radio-carpal, and this membrane also supplies the 

 joint between the pisiform bone and the radius, and the vertical joints 

 between the small bones of the upper row as far as the interosseous liga- 

 ments. The intercarpal synovial membrane is placed between the two 

 rows of small bones. It sends out ascending and descending pouches 

 which supply the vertical joints between the bones of the upper and 

 lower rows as far as the interosseous ligaments. The remaining synovial 

 membrane supplies the joint between the lower row of small bones and 

 the metacarpal bones. It is thus called the carpo-metacarpal synovial 

 membrane. It supplies the vertical joints of the lower row of bones, 

 and also dips downwardly to supply the joints between the large and 

 small metacarpals. 



There is no communication between the radio-carpal and inter- 

 carpal membranes, but it is of surgical importance to remember that the 

 latter communicates with the carpo-metacarpal membrane, and that the 

 communication is placed between the os magnum and the unciform bone. 



DISEASES OF THE KNEE 



BENT KNEES 



The degree and cause of this affection are subject to a considerable 

 amount of variation. Uncomplicated cases are usually indicative of 

 the animals having been worked too hard. 



